Petition seeks CBI probe

THE HINDU

Staff Reporter
MADURAI: The Madras High Court Bench here on Friday ordered notice to the State government and the Tuticorin Collector in a writ petition filed by a Dalit activist seeking Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of a Civil Supplies Department official in Tuticorin on September 11.

Adjourned

A Division Bench comprising Justice P. Jyothimani and Justice S. Nagamuthu also directed the petitioner's counsel P. Rathinam to serve all documents related to the case on the CBI counsel and adjourned the matter to Wednesday. The petitioner, S. Ramar, said the deceased, M. Murugan, was an upright official who exposed many illegalities such as corruption, theft and other malpractices in the department.

Hence, there was every possibility that he was murdered by anti-social elements involved in such illegal activities.

Nevertheless, the district administration as well as the police officials were bent on proving it to be a case of suicide, he alleged and said that the officials had gone to the extent of arresting his wife who was on dharna for 12 days demanding justice, and buried the body without her consent.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/25/stories/2010092553880400.htm

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article793378.ece

Notice to government on plea for CBI probe

Express News Service
First Published : 25 Sep 2010 02:54:18 AM IST
Last Updated : 25 Sep 2010 11:26:34 AM IST
MADURAI: THE Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary and the Director General of Police to file their replies to a petition seeking a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Murugan, an officer in the Civil Supplies Department of Thoothukudi.
S Ramar, a social activist of Theerthampatti in his petition before the Bench said that Murugan, a Dalit, was employed in the Thoothukudi District Civil Supplies Department as a quality control inspector. He apprehended those who were smuggling ration rice, dhal and other essential items and took action against them.
On September 7, 2010, Murugan was brought to the hospital in a lorry and it was said that he had attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison. He was declared dead when admitted to the hospital. The petitioner averred that there was no reason for Murugan to attempt suicide. Many persons have resorted to agitations suspecting foul play in the death of the deceased. Postmortem report was denied to them and there were injuries on his body. Minister for Food, E V Velu and the Collector maintained that he had committed suicide.
Ramar said that Murugan had been murdered by a gang involved in the smuggling of ration items. Members of the gang were also threatening the wife of Murugan. While seeking a CBI probe into the, he also sought compensation for the family under the Civil Rights Protection Act and rehabilitation for his wife. The Bench comprising Justices P Jyothimani and S Nagamuthu directed issue of notice to the Home Secretary, the DGP, Thoothukudi SP and the SIPCOT inspector.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu/notice-to-government-on-plea-for-cbi-probe/209785.html


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

Activists end stir, await start of CB-CID probe
Express News Service
First Published : 24 Sep 2010 01:14:05 AM IST
Last Updated : 24 Sep 2010 11:30:06 AM IST

THOOTHUKUDI: The relatives and activists of deceased Assistant Quality Control Inspector M Murugan are awaiting the CB-CID probe to begin and meanwhile, putting an end to the protests carried on so far, the activists have now decided to give priority in getting legal recourse.
Murugan succumbed at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital on September 11 after being admitted on September 7 for allegedly consuming poison.
Murugan’s wife Selvi and other relatives refused to receive the body after post-mortem which was done on September 12. The relatives and activists, supported by opposition parties, staged protests and demanded that a case be registered under section 302.
Selvi alleged that her husband was murdered by his colleagues for not cooperating with them in misappropriation. The issue gained prominence after AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, PMK founder S Ramadoss and CPI leaders issued statements, demanding a fair probe into the cause of Murugan’s death. Bowing to the pressure, the Chief Minister announced a CB-CID probe and announced an ex-gratia amount of ` 2 lakh on September 21. However, Selvi refused it, saying that she was not protesting for money, but for justice.
On September 22, the decomposed body of Murugan was buried by the officials as the relatives refused to accept the body even after the final order. It may be noted that the body was buried since the doctors had expressed their concern that the decomposed body could cause serious health hazards to hospital employees, patients and general public. The high drama came to an end with the arrest of Selvi along with 24 other protestors on Wednesday.
All those arrested were released by 10 pm and Selvi was also discharged from the hospital on Thursday.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu/activists-end-stir-await-start-of-cb-cid-probe/209453.html